Scarletbow

By: The 80lb Carrot

Disclaimer: They aren't mine. I couldn't have written them as well. Areyin, however, is my own creation.

Summary: Arwen had a little sister--a runaway and a rebel destined never to rule.

Rating: PG-13

AN: Yes I read the books. In fact I read them in fourth or fifth grade. I am now in high school. But I saw the movie . . . three times in the past three weeks. Which one do you think I am more familiar with? Good guess. So sorry if this relies more on the movie than the book. Starts as the Fellowship is being formed. Skips the messy bits. Starts up again when Legolas gets home. Got it?

AN2: Areyin-- Air-yin

Read this!!! I seriously mess around with who's related to who, so if you don't want to see family trees go through the blender, read no further!

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'That was descriptive,' he muttered to himself, hearing her answer. "Couldn't know what?"

She bit her lip and dropped her gaze to her hands. "Arwen and Aragon," she started slowly as if trying to sort out what she wanted to say and how. "Are madly in love, as we all know. What is not common knowledge, however, is that she gave him her immortality." Once again she met his eye. "She's willing to live a mortal, human life so she can be with him, and Elrond won't have that. He's sent me to get it back from her.

"It was a direct challenge to me, I couldn't refuse. He had me backed into a corner, either ruin my sister's love-life or bring even more shame upon myself and give him more reason to disown me. All he really needs is just one more excuse to disown me for real, if not exile me. Damned if I did, damned if I didn't. So I took it.

"But I'm not going to do it. I'm not even going to try, I couldn't do that to Arwen. She's my sister and she's always accepted me. I immediately came here, I knew that being connected to you would grant me some amnesty and the ability to speak to Lady Galadriel. That was what I really needed. She knew what was going on right off, that ring gives her the powers she has and those include one not unlike mine. I was accepted here the instant I set foot in her rooms.

"If Elrond hears about it . . . " Her voice trailed off and her eyes hit the floor. "If he knows I gave up without trying it would be just as bad as if I had never taken the quest in the first place. So I'm stuck here until I figure out what to do." She felt his reassuring grip on her arm and smiled once more. "But there is more."

Legolas looked somewhat shocked. "More?"

Areyin nodded. "You must swear never to utter what I am about to tell you. I had to beg for permission to explain this even you." He swore on all he held holy and his love for her, which he then lumped in with the first category, causing her to grin again. Continuing she said, "Lady Galadriel has trusted me with her deepest secret, which I now intrust to you. She is my father's sister, my aunt, who was considered unfit to rule by *her* father much like Elrond has done to me. But when she was given one of the three rings of power, both her father and brother became extremely jealous and much like me, she fled, ending up here. However she also brought some of her dearest friends and allies with her, and from that she started her own kingdom here where she rules.

"When you came through here before, Lady Galadriel was tested by the ring. Frodo gave her the chance to take it from him and although it drew her, she resisted and passed. Since that night she has longed to leave for other lands, to return to her people and family but has not been able to find someone who could run this place for her and rule in her stead when she left."

"She wants you to do it," Legolas realized without a second's hesitation.

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escusi, escusi, escusi, i did not mean to remove this chapter and then completely upload it all over again. right after i hit the 'remove' button i realized the little 'boo-boo'. i think i'm still just a *little* sick. so this is still the same chapter, no changes at all. sorry about giving you guys the idea that it was. but if you're new to the story and like it, or if you're not new to the story and like it, review, review, review. it makes the author more eager to write.